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Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a rapidly emerging but understudied sensory concept which according to earlier studies can help relieve symptoms of for exampledepression, anxiety, pain and stress while creating feelings of relaxation. The experience begins with a triggering audio or audio-visual stimulus which causes a physical reaction described as a tingling sensation beginning at the back of the head and further towards the periphery of the body. A previous study suggested that ASMR and neuroticism are related. Anxiety is a subfacet of neuroticism, which is why this study explored the relationship between State- and Trait-anxiety (S- and T-Anxiety) and ASMR to investigate if and in what way they are related. The research questions were “Is the level of State and Trait Anxiety associated with the level of ASMR experience?” and “Are there certain ASMR stimuli that are stronger related to State and Trait Anxiety than other ASMR stimuli?”. A total of 35 participants completed the questionnaires, of which the majority were between the ages 25-34, female, employed, coliving and answered that their highest level of education were studies at college/university. The results from the current self-report correlational study showed that ASMR and T-Anxiety are significantly negatively correlated, however, it failed to show any significant correlation between S-Anxiety and ASMR. Results also showed that one ASMR stimulus, finger flutters, significantly correlated negatively with T-Anxiety. The rest of the individual stimuli failed to show significant correlations with either S- or T-Anxiety. This suggests that anxiety may not be the driving sub-facet when searching for explanations for what makes ASMR and neuroticism associated. It also raises the question whether or not ASMR could be suitable as a therapeutic method for managing high T-Anxiety. Finally, it seems that individual ASMRstimulus vary in their connection to anxiety. However, it is only possible to draw conclusions on this sample, not the population, due to the small sample size. Further studies are needed to at least verify these results. / Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) är ett snabbt växande men understuderatsensoriskt koncept som enligt tidigare studier kan underlätta symptom av exempelvis depression, ångest, smärta och stress samtidigt som det skapar en avslappnande känsla. Upplevelsen börjar med ett triggande audio eller audiovisuellt stimuli som orsakar en fysisk reaktion beskrivet som en pirrig känsla med början vid bakhuvudet och vidare mot kroppens periferi. En studie om ämnet föreslog att ASMR och neuroticism är relaterade. Ångest är en del av neuroticism, varför den här studien undersöker relationen mellan ASMR och State- och Trait-Anxiety (S- och T-Anxiety) för att undersöka hur och på vilket sätt de är relaterade. Forskningsfrågorna var ”Är nivån av State och Trait Anxiety associerad med nivån av ASMRupplevelse?” och ”Finns det specifika ASMR stimuli som är starkare relaterade till State och Trait Anxiety än andra ASMR stimuli?”. Totalt slutförde 35 deltagare enkäterna, av vilka majoriteten var mellan åldrarna 25–34, kvinnor, anställda, sammanlevande och rapporterade att studier på universitet/högskola var deras högsta nivå av utbildning. Resultaten från den här självrapporterings-korrelationsstudien visade att ASMR och T-Anxiety är signifikant negativt korrelerade, men det kunde inte visas att S-Anxiety och ASMR är signifikant korrelerade. De visade också att ett ASMR stimuli, finger flutters, är signifikant negativt korrelerad med TAnxiety. Resterande individuella ASMR stimuli hade ingen signifikant korrelation med vare sig S- eller T-Anxiety. Det här tyder på att ångest kanske inte är den drivande underkategorin i jakt på förklaring till vad som gör ASMR och neuroticism associerade. Det väcker också frågan om ASMR verkligen hade varit en lämplig terapeutisk metod för hantering av hög T-Anxiety. Till sist verkar det som att individuella ASMR stimuli varierar i sin relation till ångest. Viktigt att tillägga är dock att det bara är möjligt att dra slutsatser om urvalet, inte populationen, på grund av storleken på urvalet. Ytterligare studier behövs för att åtminstone verifiera dessa resultat.

This study examined the role of specific pattern coloring, such as coloring books for adults, on conceptual, behavioral and physiological measures of anxiety. Undergraduate female students (n = 8) had ECG electrodes and a respiration belt attached and completed the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at five time points; at baseline, after an initial autobiographical anxiety induction, following a passive relaxation condition, after a repeat induction and then after a coloring condition. The participants were randomly split into a control and experimental group; the control group free colored while the experimental group colored in a mandala pattern. Participants had the option of coloring before bed to test the effect of coloring on sleep onset latency. The electrodes and respiration belt measured heart rate and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) data and MATLAB transformed the raw data to produce heart rate variability (HRV) values. The self-report data indicated that the manipulation did not induce anxiety and that there was no reduction in anxiety after the coloring conditions. Physiological data indicated that the manipulation successfully induced anxiety, however, there was no significant reduction in anxiety. Although the results of this study were not significant, they suggest that with a larger sample size, it would be possible to see an effect of specific pattern coloring on the reduction of anxiety.

As mental health is becoming increasingly prioritized, the disparity between the amount of undergraduate students who need mental health services and the amount of undergraduate students that actually receive this help is also becoming more noticeable. Over the past decade, there have been an increasing number of students seeking mental health services, with more students being diagnosed with mental health conditions. There have also been a rising number of students reporting heightened stress and anxiety due to COVID-19. With the increasing mental health diagnoses, especially during COVID-19, it is more important than ever to provide effective options for students to reduce their anxiety. To address this issue, we examined the effects of short easily accessible interventions including chair yoga, visual meditation and sound therapy to decrease anxiety in healthy college students. We report that a single session of five-minute chair yoga (p = 0.001) or visual meditation (p = 0.026) significantly reduced anxiety, as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. We propose that results of this study be considered preliminary data in starting a self-help system for undergraduate students, especially during periods of exceptionally high stress, such as midterms or finals.

Bakgrund: Stress och fysisk inaktivitet är bland de vanligaste riskfaktorerna till de folksjukdomar vi har idag. Vi lever idag ett mer stillasittande liv. Med hjälp av de digitala hjälpmedel vi har idag finns större möjlighet att få fler att röra på sig och därmed sänka folksjukdomarna och sänka upplevd känsla av stress. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att se huruvida effekterna på stressnivån skiljer sig genom att delta i digitala yogapass inomhus medan instruktören höll yogapasset i inomhus eller utomhusmiljö. Metod: 20 deltagare blev slumpmässigt indelade i två grupper (grupp A eller grupp B). Deltagarna i grupp A började med att delta i ett digitalt yogapass som yogainstruktören höll inomhus för att sedan göra det andra digitala yogapasset, där yogainstruktören höll yogapasset utomhus. Grupp B gjorde passen i omvänd ordning. Innan och efter varje pass fick deltagarna fylla i ett frågeformulär (STAI-S) där de fick skatta sin upplevda stressnivå för stunden. Resultat: Resultatet från Mann-Whitney U test visade inga signifikanta skillnader mellan effekten av stressnivån när en yogainstruktör höll klassen inomhus eller utomhus. Konklusion: Resultatet visade inga signifikanta skillnader. Mer forskning krävs, samt forskning med fler deltagare krävs då ämnet är sparsamt beforskat. / Background: Stress and physical inactivity are the most common risk factors to most of the welfare diseases today. We’re living in a more sedentary environment. Today we have more digital aids that can provide greater opportunity to get more people to move and reduce diseases and reduce perceived feelings of stress. Aim: The aim with this study was to find whether the effects on the stress level differ by participating in digital yoga sessions indoors while the instructor held the yoga session in an indoor or outdoor environment. Method: 20 participants were randomly divided into two groups (group A and group B). The participants in group A started with the study with a digital yogapass where the instructor held the class indoor and for the second class the instructor held the class outdoor. The other group (group B) did the workouts in reverse order. Before and after each class the participants had to fill in a questionnaire (STAI-S) where they had to estimate their perceived stress level for the moment. Results: The result from Mann-Whitney U test showed no significant differences between the effect of the stress level between indoor and outdoor. Conclusion: The results showed no significant differences. More research is required, as well as research with more participants is required as the subject is sparsely researched.

Diante das evidências da existência de um sistema endocanabinóide em humanos, possivelmente disfuncional em transtornos de ansiedade e do crescente interesse terapêutico no uso do canabidiol (CBD), justifica-se um estudo da comparação entre as concentrações plasmáticas do CBD, administrados por via oral na forma de pó e dissolvido em óleo, para que se defina a forma de administração ideal do CBD e sua eficácia terapêutica na dose de 150mg, baseados em estudos cinéticos e dinâmicos (PK/PD). Neste contexto, o estudo investigou 39 voluntários sadios, alocados aleatoriamente em 3 grupos, que receberam 150 mg de CBD, em cápsulas na forma de pó (Grupo 1), dissolvido em óleo de milho (Grupo 2 ) e amido de milho (Grupo placebo). A concentração plasmática do CBD, por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas, foi determinada nos tempos: 0, 0,5, 1,0, 1,5, 2,0, 2,5, 3,0, 4,0 h, após a administração do fármaco. Os instrumentos de avaliação de medidas psicológicas foram: escala analógica de humor (VAMS) e a escala de identificação de ansiedade traço estado (IDATE) e nas medidas fisiológicas foram monitoradas a pressão arterial (PA) e a frequência cardíaca (FC). O teste ansiogênico aplicado foi o Teste de Simulação de Falar em Público (TSFP). No reconhecimento de expressões faciais (REF) foi realizada a tarefa Touch, em indicar a emoção apresentada na expressão do indivíduo. Nos resultados das medidas subjetivas (VAMS e IDATE), não se constatou o efeito ansiolítico; houve elevação da PA sistólica e diastólica e da FC; a intensidade da resposta no REF foi de 93% no Grupo 1 (pó) e de 81% no Grupo 2 (óleo). O pico plasmático médio foi de 20,70±1,68 ng/mL em 2,5h (CBD pó) e CBD em óleo de 82,59±9,52 ng/mL em 2h. Desta forma, este estudo PK/PD demonstrou que a forma farmacêutica ideal para a administração do CBD foi a em óleo e no estudo de dose /resposta, 150mg não possui eficácia terapêutico em relação a ansiedade. / In the face of the existence of an endocannabinoid system in humans, possibly dysfunctional in anxiety disorders and the growing interest in the therapeutic use of cannabidiol (CBD), justified a study comparing plasma concentrations of CBD, administered orally in powder form and dissolved in oil, in ordre to define the optimal mode of administration of the CBD and their therapeutic efficacy at a dose of 150mg, based on dynamic and kinetic studies (PK/PD). In this contexto, the study researched 39 healthy volunteers, allocated randomly in 3 groups, receiving 150 mg of CBD, capsules in powder form (Group 1), dissolved in corn oil (Group 2) and corn starch (placebo group). The plasmatic concentration of CBD was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry at the times: 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0 h, after administration of the drug. Assessment instruments of psychological measures were: analogical scale mood (VAMS) and scale identification of trait anxiety state (IDATE) and physiological measures were monitored in arterial pressure (PA) and heart rate (HR). The anxiogenic test applied was Simulated Public Speaking (TSFP). In recognition of facial expressions (REF) was performed the task touch, that consists in indicate the emotion shown the facial expression of the individual. The results of subjective measures (VAMS and IDATE) was not found the anxiolytic effect; there was increase of systolic and diastolic pressure and heart frequency; the response intensity in the REF was 93% in group 1 (powder) and 81% in Group 2 (oil). The peak mean plasma was 20.70 ± 1.68 ng / mL (CBD powder) in 2.5 h and 82.59 ± 9.52 ng / mL (CBD in oil) in 2h. Thus, this study PK / PD demonstrated that the ideal pharmaceutical form for administration of the CBD has been in oil and study of dose / response, 150mg has no therapeutic efficacy in relation to anxiety.

En las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos no se valora de forma sistemática la ansiedad de los pacientes, a pesar de que éstos informan moderados niveles de ansiedad. De ellos, los pacientes conectados a ventilación mecánica invasiva son los que tienen, por un lado, mayores niveles de ansiedad y, por otro lado, mayor dificultad para contestar largos cuestionarios por su debilidad tanto física como cognitiva. Esta tesis aporta, mediante la compilación de publicaciones científicas, la adaptación de una versión corta de la subescala estado del State- Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) en pacientes con ventilación mecánica invasiva, que nunca ha sido usada en nuestro país. Dicha versión consta de 6 ítems y puede ser considerada como una medida válida y fiable de la medida de la ansiedad tanto en pacientes españoles conectados a ventilación mecánica invasiva como en pacientes españoles respiratorios hospitalizados.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the usefulness of a 20-minute brief mindfulness meditation in positively affecting mood and attention. Its effects were compared with the effects from a period of distraction and a control condition. The sample consisted of 63 veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Pre-post test of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule were used to assess levels of state anxiety and mood. The Stroop Task was employed as a measure of selective attention. A one-way analysis of variance and split-plot analysis of variance were conducted. To control high comorbidity within this sample, sub-analyses were conducted excluding participants with other psychological or physical conditions. The results revealed that meditators without sleep problems indicated greater selective attention levels. A negative mood decrease was found in all participants regardless of the intervention group assignment. Implications for research and practice were discussed.

Objetivo: Este estudo avalia a estrutura do IDATE (Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado) utilizando a análise psicométrica de Rasch, propondo-se ao refinamento e redução do instrumento. Métodos: Consiste em estudo transversal em amostra de 900 pacientes em perioperatório de cirurgias eletivas, com idade variando de 18 a 60 anos e ASA I-III. Informações demográficas foram coletadas empregando-se um questionário estruturado. O instrumento de mensuração IDATE foi aplicado na tarde que antecedia a cirurgia, antes da sedação pré-operatória. Resultados: As escalas de estado e traço de ansiedade foram analisadas separadamente pelo modelo de Rasch. A análise demonstrou invariância no nível de ansiedade traço e estado no formato original de ambas as escalas, resultando em instabilidade no desempenho dos itens. Subsequentemente, a escala refinada foi retestada em duas amostras randomizadas de 300 sujeitos cada, sendo confirmados os resultados. O desempenho foi adequado, independentemente do gênero. Na análise, alguns itens da escala estado foram eliminados (itens 3,4,9,10,12,15 e 20) devido à inadequação ao modelo estatístico. Os itens restantes mostraram unidimensionalidade, independência local e adequado índice de consistência interna. Na escala original de traço, identificaram-se muitas falhas. Primeiro, a escala de resposta tipo Likert 4 pontos provou ser inadequada, e desordens threshold foram encontradas nos 20-itens. A escala original de traço mostrou insuficiente interação e muitos itens individuais mal ajustados. Seguindo a análise e retestando a segunda amostra randomizada, alguns itens foram excluídos (itens 4, 6, 11, 14, 15 e 19). A versão refinada obteve independência local, unidimensionalidade e adequados modelos estatísticos para a fase de sedação pré-operatória. Discussão: Os resultados indicam que a aplicação do modelo de Rasch conduz ao refinamento das escalas clássicas de IDATE estado e traço, sugerindo também que as versões sucintas apresentam desempenho psicométrico mais adequado e estão livres de desordens no limiar de resposta (threshold) e DIF (funcionamento diferencial de itens). / Objetive: This study evaluates the STAI structure using a Rasch psychometric approach and it proposes a refined and shorter STAI version. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 900 inpatients scheduled for elective surgery. Age varied from 18 to 60 years (ASA physical status I-III). Demographic information was collected using a structured questionnaire. The measuring instrument (the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) was applied to all patients in the afternoon before the surgery, before of the patients Results: Rasch analysis of the state and trait anxiety scales was performed separately. This analysis demonstrated that the original format of state and trait scales fails to show invariance across the trait-state anxiety level, which results in the unstable performance of items. The refined scale was retested in two subsequent random samples of 300 subjects each, and the results were confirmed. The performance was adequate regardless of gender. In the analysis, some items of the state scale (items 3,4,9,10,12,15 and 20) were deleted due to poor fit statistics. The remaining 13 items showed unidimensionality, local independence, and adequate index of internal consistency. Also, the original trait scale displayed several weaknesses. First, the 4 point Likert response scale proved to be inadequate, and threshold disorders were found in all twenty items. Also, the original trait scale showed insufficient item-trait interaction and several individual item misfits. Following the rescoring process, and retesting in a second random sample, items were excluded (namely items 4, 6, 11, 14, 15 and 19). The refined version showed local independence, unidimensionality and adequate fit statistics.receive preoperative sedatives. Discussion: The results indicate that the application of the Rasch Model led to the refinement of the classic state and trait STAI scales. In addition, suggest that these shorter versions present more adequate psychometric performance and are free of threshold disorders and differential item functioning problems.

Objetivo: Este estudo avalia a estrutura do IDATE (Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado) utilizando a análise psicométrica de Rasch, propondo-se ao refinamento e redução do instrumento. Métodos: Consiste em estudo transversal em amostra de 900 pacientes em perioperatório de cirurgias eletivas, com idade variando de 18 a 60 anos e ASA I-III. Informações demográficas foram coletadas empregando-se um questionário estruturado. O instrumento de mensuração IDATE foi aplicado na tarde que antecedia a cirurgia, antes da sedação pré-operatória. Resultados: As escalas de estado e traço de ansiedade foram analisadas separadamente pelo modelo de Rasch. A análise demonstrou invariância no nível de ansiedade traço e estado no formato original de ambas as escalas, resultando em instabilidade no desempenho dos itens. Subsequentemente, a escala refinada foi retestada em duas amostras randomizadas de 300 sujeitos cada, sendo confirmados os resultados. O desempenho foi adequado, independentemente do gênero. Na análise, alguns itens da escala estado foram eliminados (itens 3,4,9,10,12,15 e 20) devido à inadequação ao modelo estatístico. Os itens restantes mostraram unidimensionalidade, independência local e adequado índice de consistência interna. Na escala original de traço, identificaram-se muitas falhas. Primeiro, a escala de resposta tipo Likert 4 pontos provou ser inadequada, e desordens threshold foram encontradas nos 20-itens. A escala original de traço mostrou insuficiente interação e muitos itens individuais mal ajustados. Seguindo a análise e retestando a segunda amostra randomizada, alguns itens foram excluídos (itens 4, 6, 11, 14, 15 e 19). A versão refinada obteve independência local, unidimensionalidade e adequados modelos estatísticos para a fase de sedação pré-operatória. Discussão: Os resultados indicam que a aplicação do modelo de Rasch conduz ao refinamento das escalas clássicas de IDATE estado e traço, sugerindo também que as versões sucintas apresentam desempenho psicométrico mais adequado e estão livres de desordens no limiar de resposta (threshold) e DIF (funcionamento diferencial de itens). / Objetive: This study evaluates the STAI structure using a Rasch psychometric approach and it proposes a refined and shorter STAI version. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 900 inpatients scheduled for elective surgery. Age varied from 18 to 60 years (ASA physical status I-III). Demographic information was collected using a structured questionnaire. The measuring instrument (the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) was applied to all patients in the afternoon before the surgery, before of the patients Results: Rasch analysis of the state and trait anxiety scales was performed separately. This analysis demonstrated that the original format of state and trait scales fails to show invariance across the trait-state anxiety level, which results in the unstable performance of items. The refined scale was retested in two subsequent random samples of 300 subjects each, and the results were confirmed. The performance was adequate regardless of gender. In the analysis, some items of the state scale (items 3,4,9,10,12,15 and 20) were deleted due to poor fit statistics. The remaining 13 items showed unidimensionality, local independence, and adequate index of internal consistency. Also, the original trait scale displayed several weaknesses. First, the 4 point Likert response scale proved to be inadequate, and threshold disorders were found in all twenty items. Also, the original trait scale showed insufficient item-trait interaction and several individual item misfits. Following the rescoring process, and retesting in a second random sample, items were excluded (namely items 4, 6, 11, 14, 15 and 19). The refined version showed local independence, unidimensionality and adequate fit statistics.receive preoperative sedatives. Discussion: The results indicate that the application of the Rasch Model led to the refinement of the classic state and trait STAI scales. In addition, suggest that these shorter versions present more adequate psychometric performance and are free of threshold disorders and differential item functioning problems.